Sunday, January 11, 2015

Quillinan Reservoir

Observations/Information: I led an AMC hike today. I had explored this area last winter and created a GPS map for myself with waypoints. Since last year, I see that the mountain biker trail to the left of the map board has been blazed. It was helpful to have that, but it was confusing to come to other trail junctions and see purple heading off in four directions. Our group ended up looping back on ourselves because it was hard to know which way to go.

I'm reluctant to criticize anyone's work, as I know how much is involved with maintaining trails, but a basic rule of a good trail system is to have a trail go in two directions, not four. I hope someone will update the blazes and blaze the cross trails in some other color, as they used to be blazed.

I did the IMBA Trail Building School at Huntington State Park a few years ago. I explained to the hikers the skill involved with the building the trail, which follows the contour lines to prevent erosion. I also pointed out the various armored surfaces. They appreciated the gentle flow of the trail.

As I hiked, I flicked numerous branches off the trail, as I always do. The Purple Trail up on the ridge from the parking lot on Rimmon Rd. (Rt. 313) had been blown clear of snow. Other trails were icy, but easy to hike.

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The Central Connecticut chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association (CCT NEMBA) is a community of mountain bikers and trail advocates dedicated to advancing the sport of mountain biking in Connecticut. Since 1997 we have worked with land managers to build, maintain, and improve legal trails and support appropriate trail use. We organize rides, offer educational trail schools to all trail users, and build relationships within the mountain bike community of riders, trail builders, shops, advocates, and others. We support mountain biking because it is a fun, healthy activity that all ages and abilities can enjoy.